Method of generating or modifying solid model of an object according to cross-sectional shapes and a predetermined relationship and apparatus suitable for practicing the method

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for generating a solid model of a structural assembly, or solid models of components of such assembly, according to cross sectional shapes of the components and attributes associated with the cross sectional shapes, wherein the components are initially defined by wire frame models or surface models represented by suitable shape data such wire frame data. When a structural assembly is modified in design, the shape data are changed, and the corresponding cross sectional shapes and attributes are changed, so that a modeller modifies the already generated solid model or models, on the basis of the changed cross sectional shapes and attributes. The apparatus includes part data files for respective structural assemblies, and each part data file has component data files for respective components of each assembly, and a relation data file storing component relation data representative of positional relationship of the components of the assembly. Each component data file storing wire frame data and solid model data in respective memory areas thereof.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/286,570, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,649,076 filed on Aug. 5, 1994.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of generating or modifying asolid model of a structural object, and an apparatus suitable forpracticing the method to generate or modify such solid model.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A solid model generator is used in designing a structural object orsolid such as automotive parts, die sets used on a press, or othercomponents of a structural assembly. Such a solid model generatorincludes a solid modeller adapted to receive data representative ofshapes in specified cross sectional planes of the structural object, anddata indicative of attributes of such cross sectional shapes. Theseshapes and attributes cooperate to define the geometry of the object.The solid modeller automatically generates a solid model of the objectaccording to the received cross sectional shapes and the attributes.When a structural assembly such as a part of an automobile or a die setused on a press is modified in design for use on another type ofautomobile or for partial re-modelling of the automobile, the operatorof the solid model generator operates an appropriate data input deviceto identify the automotive part or die set to be re-designed or modifiedin design, and select each component of the structural assembly to bedisplayed on a display screen. The operator further operates the datainput device to change the cross sectional shapes and attributes of eachcomponent to modify the component, as needed, so that the solid modellerautomatically modifies the original solid model, namely, automaticallygenerates a solid model of the component as modified, and display thenewly generated solid model of the modified component. The aboveoperation should be repeated for each of the components of thestructural assembly that should be modified in design.

The solid model generator indicated above uses a general-purpose CAD(computer-aided design) software for dealing with the operator'scommands to designate the desired component to be modified and changeobject-defining parameters in the form of the cross sectional shapes andattributes described above. The solid modeller operates also accordingto the CAD software, to generate the solid model of the modifiedcomponent. Since the solid modeller requires a considerably longprocessing time to modify the solid model of each component, theoperator should wait an accordingly long time, at the site of theperipheral data input device. Where two or more components of thestructural assembly in question should be modified in design, thecumulative waiting time of the operator as a designer of the structuralassembly is substantially prolonged, leading to unsatisfactory designingefficiency on the side of the designer. In the case of dimensional orgeometric modification of the two or more components of the structuralassembly, the designer usually considers the compatibility of themodified components with respect to each other and with respect to thenon-modified components, in terms of their attachment or connection toor engagement with each other or their dimensional coordination. As aresult of these considerations, the designer is sometimes required tore-modify the component or components so as to correct or overcomedefects or incompatibility of the modified and non-modified componentsin a trial-and-error fashion. In such event, two or more processingoperations are performed by the solid modeller for each of thecomponents that are modified from their original design, whereby thecumulative or total processing time required by the solid modeller tendsto be increased, resulting in reduced designing efficiency.

In some solid model generators, the cross sectional shapes andattributes used to generate solid models of structural components aregiven by wire frame data representative of two-dimensional wire framemodels. Each wire frame model consists of shape definition lines whichdefine a shape or geometry of the appropriate component. Such solidmodel generators may be adapted such that the initially generated orprepared wire frame models are used to generate the correspondingsurface models, so that the corresponding solid models are generated onthe basis of the surface models.

In such solid model generators, solid model data representative of solidmodels of different components (A, B, C) are stored in respective solidmodel data files, while wire frame data or surface model data are storedin a design-concept data file, together with design concept data whichidentify the components (A, B, C) constituting an assembly and indicatea positional relationship between the components, as indicated in FIG.22. Further, relation data indicating a relationship between the solidmodels of these components and wire frame models or surface frame modelsrepresented by the wire frame data or surface model data are stored in arelation data file, as also indicated in FIG. 22. The wire frame dataand design concept data stored in the design-concept data file aretreated as a unit or a batch of data, and the wire frame data of thecomponent A cannot be retrieved alone, independently of the wire framedata of the component B, for example. When it is desired to use the wireframe model of the component A of the assembly (A, B, C), the wire framemodels of all the three components A, B, C are first displayed on ascreen such that these three wire frame models are disposed in thepositional relationship defined by the design concept data. In thiscondition, the wire frame data in the design-concept data file aremodified so that the wire frame models of the unnecessary components Band C are removed or erased, and the remaining wire frame model of thenecessary component A is changed as needed. The thus modified wire framemodel data are used to generate a solid model of a new structuralassembly which includes the modified component A. If the new structuralassembly consists of the component A of the assembly (A, B, C) andanother component which is a component of another structural assemblywhose wire frame data and design concept data are stored in anotherdesign-concept data file, a similar operation should be repeated togenerate a solid model of the new assembly. Since the operationsrequired to utilize the already stored wire frame data and designconcept data are cumbersome and time-consuming described above, there isa high possibility of operational errors occurring during themodification of the wire frame data (surface model data), and theefficiency of generating a solid model of a structural assembly tends tobe low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide amethod of modifying solid models of structural components, which methodpermits high designing efficiency with a minimum of waiting time on theside of the designer who uses a solid model generator that generates themodified solid models.

The first object indicated above may be achieved according to one aspectof the present invention, which provides a method of modifying solidmodels of a plurality of designated components, which have already beengenerated by a solid model generating apparatus wherein a solid modellerautomatically generates solid models representative of a plurality ofcomponents according to cross sectional shapes of the components andattributes associated with the cross sectional shapes, the crosssectional shapes and attributes defining the solid models of thecomponents, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing aplurality of shape data files storing respective sets of shape datarepresentative of shapes of the plurality of designated components; (b)successively changing the shape data sets representative of thedesignated components, to modify the solid models of the designatedcomponents; (c) changing the cross sectional shapes and/or theattributes of the designated components on the basis of the changedshape data sets of the desired components, and according to apredetermined relationship between the changed shape data sets and thecross sectional shapes and/or the attributes; and (d) activating thesolid modeller to successively modify the already generated solid modelsof the designated components, on the basis of the cross sectional shapesand the attributes at least one of which has been changed.

To generate solid models of the designated components which are modifiedin design, namely, to modify the already generated solid models of thedesignated components, the shape data sets already stored in therespective shape data files are successively changed one after another,and the cross sectional shapes of the designated components and/or theattributes associated with the cross sectional shapes are changed on thebasis of the changed shape data sets of the designated components, andaccording to the predetermined or known relationship between the changedshape data sets and the cross sectional shapes and/or the attributes.Then, the solid modeller is activated to successively modify the alreadygenerated solid models of the designated components, on the basis of thechanged cross sectional shapes and the changed attributes at least oneof which has been changed, that is, on the basis of the changed crosssectional shapes and attributes, or the changed cross sectional shapesand the unchanged attributes, or the unchanged cross sectional shapesand the changed attributes.

According to the present method, at least one of the cross sectionalshape and the attribute associated with the cross sectional shape ischanged for each designated component, on the basis of the shape dataset which has been changed according to a desired change of design ofeach designated component. This change of the cross sectional shapeand/or the attribute is automatically effected according to thepredetermined relationship between the shape data set and those crosssectional shape and attribute. Subsequently, the solid modeller of theapparatus is activated to automatically modify the already generatedsolid model of each designated component, on the basis of the crosssectional shape and the attribute at least one of which has beenchanged. Thus, the modification of the solid models on the basis of thechanged shape data sets does not require the attendance of the operatoror designer, and can be automatically and unattendedly performed atnight. Accordingly, the operator does not have to wait at the peripheraldata input device of the solid model generating apparatus, whereby thetime required for the operator to attend the apparatus can be reduced toless than a half of the conventional requirement, and the componentdesigning efficiency is accordingly improved.

A second object of the invention is to provide a solid model generatingapparatus suitable for practicing the above method.

The above second object can be achieved according to a second aspect ofthe invention, which provides an apparatus for modifying solid models ofa plurality of designated components, which have already been generatedby a solid model generating apparatus wherein a solid modellerautomatically generates solid models representative of a plurality ofcomponents according to cross sectional shapes of the components andattributes associated with the cross sectional shapes, the crosssectional shapes and attributes defining the solid models of thecomponents, the apparatus comprising: (a) shape data file memory meanshaving a plurality of shape data files (16a) storing respective shapedata sets representative of shapes of the plurality of designatedcomponents; (b) altering means for successively changing the shape datasets representative of the designated components, to modify the solidmodels of the designated components; (c) definition data updating meansfor changing the cross sectional shapes and/or the attributes of thedesignated components on the basis of the changed shape data sets of thedesignated components, and according to a predetermined relationshipbetween the changed shape data sets and the cross sectional shapesand/or the attributes; and (d) solid model modifying means foractivating the solid modeller to successively modify the alreadygenerated solid models of the designated components, on the basis of thecross sectional shapes and the attributes at least one of which has beenchanged.

In the present apparatus adapted to modify the already generated solidmodels of the designated components, the shape data sets already storedin the respective shape data files are successively changed by thealtering means, and the cross sectional shapes of the designatedcomponents and/or the attributes associated with the cross sectionalshapes are changed by the definition data updating means, on the basisof the changed shape data sets of the designated components, andaccording to the predetermined or known relationship between the changedshape data sets and the cross sectional shapes and/or the attributes.Then, the solid model modifying means activates the solid modeller tosuccessively modify the already generated solid models of the designatedcomponents, on the basis of the changed cross sectional shapes and thechanged attributes at least one of which has been changed.

Thus, the present apparatus is adapted such that at least one of thecross sectional shape and the attribute associated with the crosssectional shape is automatically changed by the definition dataupdating, for each designated component, on the basis of the shape dataset changed by the altering means and according to the predeterminedrelationship between the shape data set and those cross sectional shapeand attribute. Subsequently, the solid modeller of the apparatus isactivated by the solid model modifying means, to automatically modifythe already generated solid model of each designated component, on thebasis of the cross sectional shape and the attribute at least one ofwhich has been changed. Thus, the modification of the solid models onthe basis of the changed shape data sets does not require the attendanceof the operator or designer, and can be automatically and unattendedlyperformed at night. Accordingly, the operator does not have to wait atthe peripheral data input device of the solid model generatingapparatus, whereby the time required for the operator to attend theapparatus can be reduced to less than a half of the conventionalrequirement, and the component designing efficiency is accordinglyimproved.

According to one form of the apparatus, each of the shape data setsstored in the shape data files includes wire frame data representativeof a two-dimensional wire frame model consisting of shape definitionlines which define a shape of a corresponding one of the designatedcomponents. In this case, the apparatus may further comprise a displaydevice and a data input device, so that the altering means activates thedisplay device to display the wire frame models of the designatedcomponents on a same screen of the display device in a predeterminedpositional relationship with each other, and receives from the datainput device data necessary to change the wire frame data representativeof the wire frame model of each of the designated component. Generally,the dimensional or geometric modification of two or more components of astructural assembly requires the designer to consider the compatibilityof the modified components with respect to the non-modified components,in terms of their attachment or connection to each other or dimensionalcoordination. In some cases, the designer is required to re-modify thecomponent or components so as to correct or overcome incompatibility ofthe modified and non-modified components in a trial-and-error fashion.In the present embodiment, the dimensional and positional compatibilityor coordination of the two or more components can be readily checkedwhile the wire frame models are displayed on the same screen of thedisplay device, even if the wire frame models are changed by thealtering means two or more times. Further, each component is initiallydefined by two-dimensional figures or wire frame models, which can beprocessed at a higher speed than in the conventional system in which thethree-dimensional data processing is required for modifying the solidmodel of each component. Therefore, the present arrangement permitsdesigning or modification of the components with improved efficiency andreduced time of repeated processing in the trial-and-error fashion.

According to another form of the apparatus, each of the shape data setsstored in the shape data files includes attribute definition datacorresponding to each of the attributes, and the altering means receivesfrom a data input device data necessary to change the attributedefinition data.

A third object of the invention is to provide a method of generating asolid model of a structural assembly, which permits easy utilization ofalready generated solid models of components of another structuralassembly, and which assures increased designing or re-designingefficiency and reduced designing error.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a solid model generatingapparatus suitable for practicing the above method.

The above third object may be achieved according to a third aspect ofthis invention, which provides a method of generating solid models ofstructural assemblies each consisting of a plurality of components (Ai,Bi, Aii, Bii, Aiii, Biii), according to cross sectional shapes of thecomponents and attributes associated with the cross sectional shapes,the cross sectional shapes being based on wire frame models definingshapes of the components of each structural assembly, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of part data filescorresponding to the plurality of structural assemblies, each of thepart data files including a plurality of component data filescorresponding to the plurality of components of each structuralassembly, and a relation data file; (b) storing wire-frame-related dataor surface model data and solid model data of each of the components ofeach structural assembly, in respective areas of a corresponding one ofthe component data files of a corresponding one of the part data files,the wire-frame-related data including wire frame data representative ofthe wire frame models of the components, and the surface model databeing representative of surface models of the components, while thesolid model data being representative of the solid models of thecomponents; and (c) storing component relation data of each structuralassembly in the relation data file of the corresponding part data file,the component relation data being representative of a positionalrelationship of the plurality of components of each structural assembly.

In the solid model generating method according to the third aspect ofthis invention, the wire-frame-related data or the corresponding surfacemodel data and the solid model data of each component of a structuralassembly are stored in respective areas of the corresponding one of thecomponent data files of the part data file for the structural assembly.Further, the part data file has the relation data file in which arestored the component relation data representative of the positionalrelationship of the components of the structural assembly in question.

According to the present method, therefore, the wire-frame-related dataincluding the wire frame data or the surface model data of any componentof any structural assembly can be retrieved together with thecorresponding solid model data, from the corresponding component datafile of the part data file for the appropriate structural assembly.Thus, for example, the wire-frame-related data and the solid model dataof a desired component of a certain structural assembly can be retrievedand utilized to generate a solid model of a new structural assembly,independently of the wire-frame-related data and the solid model data ofthe other component or components of that structural assembly, wherebythere is no need to eliminate or erase the wire-frame-related data andthe solid model data of the components that are not utilized for the newstructural assembly. Accordingly, the present method assuressignificantly improved efficiency of designing a new structural assemblyor re-designing an already designed structural assembly, and reducederror of designing or re-designing of a structural assembly utilizingthe data stored in the part data files.

The wire-frame-related data may further include relation datarepresentative of a positional relationship between the wire frame modelof each component of each structural assembly and the solid model ofeach component. The wire-frame-related data may also include attributedata representative of the attribute associated with each crosssectional shape element which defines each component.

The fourth object indicated above may be achieved according to a fourthaspect of the present invention, which provides an apparatus forgenerating solid models of structural assemblies each consisting of aplurality of components, according to cross sectional shapes of thecomponents and attributes associated with the cross sectional shapes,the cross sectional shapes being based on wire frame models definingshapes of the components of each structural assembly, the apparatuscomprising: (a) a plurality of part data files corresponding to theplurality of structural assemblies, each of the part data filesincluding a plurality of component data files corresponding to theplurality of components of each structural assembly, and a relation datafile; (b) first data storage control means for storingwire-frame-related data or surface model data and solid model data ofeach of the components of each structural assembly, in respective areasof a corresponding one of the component data files of a correspondingone of the part data files, the wire-frame-related data including wireframe data representative of the wire frame models of the components,and the surface model data being representative of surface models of thecomponents, while the solid model data being representative of the solidmodels of the components; and (c) second data storage control means forstoring component relation data of each structural assembly in therelation data file of the corresponding part data file, the componentrelation data being representative of a positional relationship of theplurality of components of each structural assembly.

The present apparatus provides substantially the same advantages as themethod according to the third aspect of the invention described above.

The above-indicated respective areas of each of the component data filesmay consist of a wire frame data area and a solid model data area forstoring the wire-frame-related data and the solid model data,respectively. In this case, the wire frame data area may further storerelation data representative of a positional relationship between thewire frame model of each component of each structural assembly and thesolid model of each component, and may further store attribute datarepresentative of the attribute associated with each cross sectionalshape element which defines each component.

The apparatus may further comprise an output device for reproducing thesolid models of the structural assemblies, according to the solid modeldata. In this instance, the apparatus may further comprise outputcontrol means for retrieving the wire-frame-related data or the surfacemodel data and the solid model data from the component data files of oneof the part data files which corresponds to one of the structuralassemblies when the solid model of that structural assembly isreproduced. The output control means is adapted to erase the retrievedwire-frame-related data or the surface model data so that only theretrieved solid model data are used to reproduce the solid model of thestructural assembly. This arrangement facilitates displaying of thesolid model or models of a desired component or components or the solidmodel of a desired structural assembly, or production of a drawing ordrawings of the component or components or structural assembly on asuitable recording device as the output device such as a printer orplotter according to the solid model data. This feature is effective tofurther improve the efficiency of designing a component or a structuralassembly.

While the output device such as a display device and a recording devicemay be a part of the apparatus, as indicated above, the output devicemay be an external device connected to the present apparatus. In thiscase, the solid model data retrieved from the appropriate part datafiles are sent to such external output device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and optional objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be better understood by reading the following detaileddescription of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one arrangement of a solid modelgenerating apparatus constructed according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram indicating functional elements of a computerused by a solid model generator of the apparatus of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a main routine for generating orcreating solid models of a new structural assembly in the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating a main routine formodifying solid models already generated by the solid model generatoraccording to the main routine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM1 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3, to initially define wire frame models of componentsof each structural assembly for which solid models are generated;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM2 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3, to define a cross sectional shape of each shapeelement of each component;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM3 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3, to specify a relationship between the wire frames andthe cross sectional shapes;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM4 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3, to give an attribute to each cross sectional shape ofthe component, and an operation in step SM5 of the main routine togenerate the solid model on the basis of the cross sectional shapes andthe attributes;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM6 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3, to display the drawing of each component according tothe generated solid model and enter and store the dimensions of thecomponent in the drawing;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM7 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3 to enter and store information necessary to machinethe components;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM8 of the mainroutine of FIGS. 4A and 4B to change the wire frame models of thedesired components;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a structural assembly in the form of aunit cam consisting of a plurality of components, for which solid modelsare generated;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating examples of wire frames for somecomponents of the unit cam of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 1, showing anarrangement of a solid model generating apparatus constructed accordingto a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example of a part data file stored inthe auxiliary data storage of the apparatus of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a process in which a solid modelof a structural assembly is generated utilizing already generated solidmodels of components of other structural assemblies;

FIG. 17A and 17B are flow charts illustrating a main routine forgenerating a solid model of a new structural assembly in the embodimentof FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM53 of the mainroutine of FIG. 17, to initially define wire frame models of componentsof a structural assembly;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM54 of the mainroutine of FIG. 17, to define a cross sectional shape of each shapeelement of each component;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM55 of the mainroutine of FIG. 17, to specify a relationship between the wire framesand the cross sectional shapes;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an operation in step SM56 of the mainroutine of FIG. 17, to give an attribute to each cross sectional shapeof the component; and

FIG. 22 is a block diagram indicating an arrangement of various datafiles used in a conventional solid model generating apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1 showing a solid model generator 10 constructedaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, the solid modelgenerator 10 uses a computer 12 which incorporates a central processingunit as well known in the art, a primary data storage 14 for storingdata used in processing operations by the central processing unit, and aprogram storage 15 for storing system control softwares and softwaresfor arithmetic and logic operations performed by the central processingunit, more specifically, control programs for executing routinesillustrated in FIGS. 3-11. The softwares stored in the program storage15 include: OS software or an operating system to execute variousprograms; a wire frame modeller for generating wire frame models, eachconsisting of shape definition lines, such as edge lines, outlines orboundary lines and intersecting lines, which define the geometriccharacteristics of a three-dimensional solid or object; a surfacemodeller for generating surface models each consisting of a wire framemodel and surface data relating to the surfaces of a solid; a solidmodeller for generating solid models, according to appropriatealgorithms such as a B-reps (Boundary Representation) process, or a CSG(Constructive Solid Geometry) process wherein a complicated shape isdefined by combinations of basic or primitive solids; and other data fordesigning a three-dimensional object. The wire frame modeller andsurface modeller are adapted to effect two-dimensional data processingto generate wire frame models and surface models, and require relativelyshort processing times as compared with those of the solid modellerwhich requires three-dimensional data processing. However, the wireframe modeller and surface modeller do not have information relating toa solid or space form.

The solid model generator 10 further includes an auxiliary data storage16 such as a magnetic disk, a data input device 18 such as a keyboard, adisplay device 20 such as a cathode-ray tube, an optical/audio indicatordevice 22 such as a device including indicator lights, alarm lights anda speaker, and a recording device 24 such as a plotter or printer. Thecomputer 12, which is connected to these devices 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, isadapted to generate a solid model according to the software programsstored in the program storage 15, and in response to command signalsreceived from the data input device 18. Solid model data filesrepresentative of the thus generated solid models generated are storedin the auxiliary storage 16, and images of the solid models can bedisplayed on the display device 20 and reproduced by the recordingdevice 24 on a suitable recording medium.

Referring next to FIG. 2 indicating the principal functional elements ofthe computer 12, there will be briefly described a manner of modifyingalready prepared or generated solid models of components whichconstitute a structural assembly. The functional elements of thecomputer 12 include shape data file memory means 30 which corresponds toa shape data file memory 16a of the auxiliary storage 16. The shape datafile memory means 30 stores a shape data file of each structuralassembly, which consists of a plurality of shape data sets correspondingto the solid models of the respective components of each assembly to begenerated. When the solid models of the components are modified,altering means 32 connected to the memory means 30 is operated tosequentially change the shape data sets of the components. The shapedata file memory means 30 is also connected to definition data updatingmeans 34, which is adapted to update or change the cross sectionalshapes and attributes which define the original solid models of theindividual components, according to the changed shape data sets and apredetermined relationship between the shape data sets and the crosssectional shapes and attributes. The changed cross sectional shapes andattributes obtained by the definition data updating means 34 are appliedto solid model modifying means 36, which activates the solid modeller 38to sequentially generate modified solid models according to the modifiedcross sectional shapes and attributes, whereby the solid models of themodified components of the structural assembly in question are obtained.

The shape data sets of the shape data file stored in the shape data filememory means 30 include wire frame data representative of wire framemodels each consisting of shape definition lines defining atwo-dimensional figure or shape. The altering means 32 is adapted toactivate the display device 20 such that the wire frame models of theindividual components are displayed on the screen of the device 20 in apredetermined geometric relationship with each other. The altering means32 is responsive to command signals received from the data input device18, to change the cross sectional shapes of the components in apredetermined procedure.

Referring to the flow charts of FIGS. 3 and 4, operations of thecomputer 12 will be described. The flow chart of FIG. 3 shows a mainroutine for generating solid models of the components of a structuralassembly, while the flow chart of FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a main routinefor modifying already generated or prepared solid models.

The main routine of FIG. 3 is initiated with step SM1 to intially definewire frames of individual components of each of structural assemblies,for which the corresponding solid models are to be generated for thefirst time. For instance, the structural assemblies are various die setsused on a press. For instance, each die set consists of componentsassociated with an upper die, components associated with a lower die,and other components associated with a product fabricated with thesedies. The defined wire frames are stored in the shape data file memory16a of the auxiliary data storage 16.

Described in detail referring to the flow chart of FIG. 5, the step SM1as a sub-routine is started with step SM1a to register or designate apart data file used for a given structural assembly, for example, agiven die set which is newly designed and which has a specific partidentification number. The part data file is registered according tocommand signals received from the data input device 18, in response to adata input operation by the operator through the input device 18. StepSM1a is followed by step SM1b to register wire frame files used forstoring wire frame models for a group of components of the die set forwhich the part data file has been registered in step SM1a. For instance,the wire frame files for the components of the upper die of a die setare registered in step SM1b. This step SM1b is also effected in responseto a data input operation through the data input device 18.

Then, the control flow goes to step SM1c wherein the planes in which thewire frames are defined are designated through the data input device 18.Step SM1c is followed by step SM1d in which the type of view of the wireframe model (e.g., perspective view, plan view, or front or sideelevational view) and coordinate values defining the wires (coordinatevalues of points defining the wire lines) are entered through the datainput device 18. The coordinate values are those in an x-y-z rectangularcoordinate system. Step SM1e is then implemented to store the type ofview and the coordinate values in the shape data file memory 16a of theauxiliary data storage 16. Step SM1e is followed by step SM1f todetermine whether the structural assembly (die set) question includesanother group of components, for instance, the components of the lowerdie, in the case where the wire frame files for the components of theupper die have been registered in step SM1b.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM1f, steps SM1bthrough SM1e are repeated again. If a negative decision (NO) is obtainedin step SM1f, the control flow goes to step SM1g to determine whetherthere is another structural assembly for which it is desired to newlygenerate the solid models and for which a part data file should beregistered in step SM1a. For instance, step SM1g is implemented todetermine whether there is another die set (having another part number)other than the die sets whose wire frame models have been defined andstored in steps SM1b-SM1f. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtainedin step SM1g, steps SM1a-SM1f are repeatedly implemented. If a negativedecision (NO) is obtained in step SM1g, the sub-routine of FIGS. 4A and4B is terminated.

Then, the main control flow goes to step SM2, SM3, SM4 and SM5 to enterdata necessary for initial definition of the solid models of therespective components of the structural assemblies for which step SM1has been implemented. That is, a cross sectional shape in a specifiedplane is defined for each shape element of each component for which thesolid model is obtained, and each defined cross sectional shape isstored in the auxiliary data storage 16.

Step SM2 (sub-routine) of the main routine of FIG. 3 will be describedin detail by reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. The sub-routine ofFIG. 6 is initiated with step SM2a in which the part data file for thedesired structural assembly is opened by the operator through the datainput device 18. Step SM2a is followed by step SM2b to register a solidmodel file for each component. The control flow then goes to step SM2cto generate a coordinate conversion matrix file for defining apositional relationship between the wire frame model defined by the wireframe file and the position of the solid model defined by the solidmodel file. Step SM2c is followed by step SM2d wherein the crosssectional plane in which each cross sectional shape used for the solidmodel of each component is defined is specified according to commandsignal received from the data input device 18. Then, step SM2e isimplemented wherein the cross sectional shape of each shape element ofeach component is defined in the specified cross Sectional plane,according to command signals from the data input device 18.

Step SM2 is followed by step SM3 to specify a relationship between thewire frame defined in step SM1 and the cross sectional shape of eachshape element of the solid model for each component of the structuralassemblies for which step SM1 has been executed. FIG. 7 shows details ofthe step SM3 (sub-routine) of FIG. 3.

The sub-routine of FIG. 7 is started with step SM3a in which componentidentifiers indicative of the relationships between the wire framemodels and the corresponding components are stored in a relationshipdata memory 16b of the auxiliary data storage 16. Step SM3a is followedby step SM3b in which shape identifiers indicative of the relationshipbetween the shape definition lines of each wire frame and the shapedefinition lines of each cross sectional shape used for defining eachsolid model are also stored in the relationship data memory 16b. Theshape definition lines define each wire frame and each shape element ofthe solid model as explained below. Then, the control flow goes to stepSM3c in which the relationship between the wire frame model and thecross sectional shapes of each solid model are stored, in relation tothe shape identifiers, in the relationship data memory 16b. Therelationship between the wire frame models and the solid models will beexplained by reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In the case of a structuralassembly in the form of a unit cam as shown in FIG. 12, wires frames asillustrated in FIG. 13 are used in designing the unit cam. In this case,the following relationship exist between the wire frames and the crosssectional shapes and planes of the cam unit.

The cam unit shown in FIG. 12 includes an upper cam 50, a lower cam 54slidably engaging the upper cam 50, and a base 56 for slidablysupporting the lower cam 54. The upper cam 50 has shape elementsincluding a rectangular shape of its upper end face defined by fourstraight shape definition lines 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d. These shapedefinition lines also define a plane in which the rectangular upper endface of the upper cam 50 is defined. The rectangular shape of the upperend face and the plane of this upper end face which are defined by thelines 50a-50d correspond to a wire frame in the form of a parallelogram52 defined by four shape definition lines 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d shown inFIG. 13. Similarly, the base 56 has a shape element in the form of arectangular shape of its lower end face (bottom surface) defined by fourshape definition lines 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, which also define a plane ofthe rectangular lower end face. The rectangular shape of the lower endface and the plane of this lower end face which are defined by the lines56a-56d correspond to a wire frame in the form of a parallelogram 58defined by four shape definition lines 58a, 58b, 58c and 58d shown inFIG. 13.

Step SM3 is followed by step SM4 in which an attribute for each crosssectional shape defined in step SM1 is defined for generating the solidmodel of each component. The attribute is defined according to commandsignals from the data input device 18. The control flow then goes tostep SM5 in which the solid modeller 38 is operated to generate thesolid model of each component on the basis of the cross sectional shapesdefined in step SM3 and the attributes given to these cross sectionalshapes in step SM4. These steps SM4 and SM5 will be described in detailby reference to the flow chart of FIG. 8. Then, the control flow goes tostep SM4c in which the direction of generating each geometric feature isspecified through the data input device 18.

Initially, step SM4a is implemented to specify the type of eachgeometric feature of each component, according to command signalsreceived from the data input device 18. The geometric features of thecomponents include projections, cutouts, curved surfaces and otherstructural characteristics. Step SM4a is followed by step SM4b tospecify the method of creating a solid by translating or otherwisemoving the plane of each cross sectional shape defined in step SM2. Forinstance, pushing, rotation, sweeping and blending are available formoving the plane. This step SM4b is effected according to commandsignals received from the data input device 18. Step SM4b is followed bystep SM4c in which the direction of generating each geometric feature isspecified through the data input device 18. Then, step SM4d isimplemented to specify the type of ending of each geometric featurethrough the data input device 18. For example, an end of a geometricfeature is determined by a wire frame or a predetermined dimension, lineor plane, or a geometric feature has an open end or is a through-hole.Thus, the type of the geometric feature, method of moving the crosssectional plane, direction of generating the geometric feature and thetype of ending of the geometric feature is considered to constitute anattribute given to each cross sectional shape defined in step SM2, whichattribute is required to specify or define the geometric characteristicsof each component as a solid structure.

Step SM4d is followed by step SM4e to determine whether a wire frame hasbeen specified in step SM4d as an element determining an end of ageometric feature. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in stepSM4e, step SM3d is implemented to store in the relationship data memory16b a relationship between the specified wire frame and the relevant endof the geometric feature. Step SM3d is followed by step SM5a. If anegative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM4e, step SM5a isimplemented without step SM3d being implemented.

Step SM5a is implemented to generate a solid model element correspondingto each shape element of the relevant component, for which the crosssectional plane and shape have been defined in steps SM2d and SM2e, andfor which the attribute has been defined in steps SM4a-SM4e. The solidmodel element which partially defines or constitutes a part of the solidmodel of the component is generated by the solid modeller 38 (softwarestored in the program storage 15) on the basis of the cross sectionalshape and the corresponding attribute. Step SM5a is followed by stepSM5b to determine whether the relevant component has another shapeelement to be defined. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained instep SM5b, the control flow goes back to step SM2d (FIG. 6) to implementthis step and the following steps, to thereby generate the solid modelelement of that shape element. If a negative decision (NO) is obtainedin step SM5b, step SM5c is implemented to determine whether the relevantstructural assembly has another component. If an affirmative decision(YES) is obtained in step SM5c, the control flow goes back to step SM2b(FIG. 6) to implement this step and the following steps, to therebygenerate the solid model of that component. If a negative decision (NO)is obtained in step SM5c, the control flow goes to step SM5d todetermine whether there is another structural assembly whose part datafile has been registered in step SM1 of the main routine of FIG. 3. Ifan affirmative decision (YES) is obtained, the control flow goes back tostep SM2a (FIG. 3) and implement this step and the following steps, tothereby generate the solid model of each component of that structuralassembly. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM5d, thesub-routine of FIG. 8 is terminated, and the control flow goes to stepSM6 of the main routine.

In step SM6, data necessary to draw the components are generatedaccording to the solid models which have been generated in step SM5.That is, the drawings of the components are displayed on the screen ofthe display device 20, and necessary dimensions of the lines definingthe components are entered through the data input device 18 and storedin the auxiliary data storage 16. The operation in step SM6 will bedescribed in detail by reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9.

The sub-routine of FIG. 9 is initiated with step SM6a to open theappropriate part data file for each structural assembly. Step SM6a isfollowed by step SM6b in which a label identifying the solid model fileis displayed on the display device 20. Then, step SM6c is implemented tospecify the type of drawing of the component through the data inputdevice 18. Step SM6c is followed by step SM6d in which the direction ofprojection of the drawing with respect to a reference plane of thedrawing is specified through the data input device 18. Then, the controlflow goes to step SM6e in which the drawing of the component isgenerated according to the specified direction of projection. Step SM6eis followed by step SM6f in which the necessary dimensions of the linesdefining the component are entered through the data input device 18 andstored. Step SM6g is then implemented to determine whether thestructural assembly in question has another component. If an affirmativedecision (YES) is obtained in step SM6g, the control flow goes back tostep SM6b and implement this step and the following steps. If a negativedecision (NO) is obtained in step SM6g, the control flow goes to stepSM6h to determine whether there is another structural assembly. If anaffirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM6h, the control flowgoes back to step SM6a and implement this step and the following steps.If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM6h, the sub-routine ofFIG. 9 is terminated, and the control flow goes to step SM7 of the mainroutine of FIG. 3.

In step SM7, information necessary to machine or manufacture thecomponents whose solid models have been generated in step SM5 areentered through the data input device 18. The operation in this step SM7will be described in detail referring to the flow chart of FIG. 10.

The sub-routine of FIG. 10 is initiated with step SM7a to open theappropriate part data file for each structural assembly. Step SM7a isfollowed by step SM7b in which a label identifying each solid model fileis displayed on the display device 20. Then step SM7c is implemented toregister a machining information file for each component through thedata input device 18. Then, the control flow goes to step SM7d in whicheach tool used for machining the component is specified through the datainput device 18. Step SM7d is followed by step SM7e in which a portionof the component to be machined by the tool and the machining conditionare specified through the data input device 18. Step SM7f is thenimplemented to specify a path to be taken by the machining tool, throughthe data input device 18. Then, the control flow goes to step SM7g todetermine whether there is another tool used to machine the component.If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained, steps SM7d-SM7g arerepeated. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM7g, stepSM7h is implemented to determine whether the structural assembly inquestion has another component. If an affirmative decision (YES) isobtained in step SM7g, steps SM7b-SM7g are repeated. If a negativedecision (NO) is obtained in step SM7h, the control flow goes to stepSM7i to determine whether there is another structural assembly. If anaffirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM7i, the control flowgoes to step SM7a to repeat steps SM7b-SM7h. If a negative decision (NO)is obtained in step SM7i, the sub-routine of FIG. 10 or step SM7 of themain routine is terminated, whereby the main routine is terminated.

If it is desired to modify or change the solid model or models of acertain component or components which have been generated in step SM5 ofthe main routine of FIG. 3 as described above, the solid models may bemodified according to the main routine of FIGS. 4A and 4B which isformulated to modify the already generated solid models. The mainroutine of FIGS. 4A and 4B is initiated with step SM8, which correspondsto the altering means 32 illustrated in FIG. 3. In step SM8, the wireframe models of the appropriate structural assembly are displayed on thedisplay device 20, and the operator is allowed to enter and store datanecessary to modify the desired component or components, morespecifically, data necessary to change the shape (and dimensions) orposition of the component or components. The flow chart of FIG. 11 showsdetails of an operation in step SM8.

The sub-routine of FIG. 11 is started with step SM8a to designate thepart data file for the appropriate structural assembly whose componentor components is/are modified in design. Step SM8b is then implementedto open the wire frame file for each component to be modified. Morespecifically, the wire frame file is read out from the shape data filememory 16a of the auxiliary data storage 16, in response to a signalreceived-from the data input device 18, and the appropriate wire framemodels are displayed on the display device 20. Then, the control flowgoes to step SM8c to determine which one of the following three types ofmodification is required by the operator: changing only the position ofthe appropriate component; changing the shape of the component orre-designing the component; and replacing the shape of the component bythat of the other component whose wire frame model is stored in theother wire frame file.

If the operator specifies the modification by re-designing the component(changing the shape and dimensions of the component), the control goesto step SM8d wherein the operator enters data necessary to change theshape of the component through the data input device 18, while theoriginal wire frame model is displayed on the display device 20. StepSM8f is then implemented to change the original wire frame data andshape identifiers. Step SM8f is followed by step SM8g to store thechanged wire frame file in the shape data file memory 16a. If theoperator specifies the modification by copying the wire frame data inthe other wire frame file (for the other component), step SM8c isfollowed by step SM8e in which the wire frame data are read from theother wire frame file. Then, the original wire frame data and shapeidentifiers are changed in step SM8f, and the changed wire frame file isstored in the memory 16a. If the modification by changing only theposition of the component in question, step SM8c is followed by stepSM8h in which the data relating to the position of the component arechanged, and step SM8g is implemented to store the changed wire framefile in the memory 16a.

After the wire frame data in the wire frame file for the appropriatecomponent have been changed or modified, step SM8i is implemented todetermine whether the structural assembly in question has anothercomponent to be modified. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtainedin step SM8i, steps SM8c-SM8g are repeated for that component. If anegative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM8i, the control flow goesto step SM8j to determine whether there is another structural assemblyto be modified. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in stepSM8j, steps SM8a-SM8i are repeatedly implemented. IF a negative decision(NO) is obtained in step SM8j, the sub-routine of FIG. 11 is terminated.

In the auxiliary data storage 16, attribute definition datacorresponding to the attributes defined in step SM4 are stored for eachof the wire frame models of the components. In step SM8l following stepSM8, the attribute definition data are changed through the data inputdevice 18, in accordance with the modification of the wire frame data instep SM8. The attribute definition data may be changed as needed evenwhen the corresponding wire frame data have not been changed. This stepSM8l also corresponds to the altering means 32 illustrated FIG. 2.

Step SM8l is followed by step SM9 to open the part data file designatedin step SM8a, for thereby activating a solid model modifying system.Step SM9 is followed by step SM10 in which the cross sectional shapesdefining each solid model of the component whose wire frame data havebeen modified in step SM8 are modified according to the wire frame datamodified in step SM8 and the relationship data obtained in step SM3.Further, the attributes defined in step SM4 are changed according to theattribute definition data changed in step SM8l and a predeterminedrelationship between the attribute definition data and the attributes tobe changed. The present step SM10 corresponds to the definition dataupdating means 34 of FIG. 2. Then, the control flow goes to step SM11 inwhich the solid model data of each component whose wire frame data havebeen changed are modified by the solid modeller 38 on the basis of thecross sectional shapes and attributes changed in step SM10, in apredetermined three-dimensional solid modelling procedure. Namely, a newsolid model corresponding to the changed wire frame data is generatedand stored in the auxiliary data storage 16. The present step SM11corresponds to the solid model modifying means 36 of FIG. 2, whichoperates according to the solid model definition data in the form of thecross sectional shapes and attributes changed by the definition dataupdating means 34.

Step SM12 is then implemented to generate an alarm signal to activate analarm indicator light of the optical/audio indicator device 22, in theevent that the solid modeller 38 fails to generate a solid model on thebasis of the cross sectional shapes and attributes which have beenchanged in step SM10. The activation of the alarm indicator lightprompts the operator to take a suitable measure to remove this erroneousstate of the solid model generator 10. Step SM13 is then implemented tocheck if there is an interference between the modified components. Ifsuch interference exits due to entry of erroneous data to change thewire frame models (shape and dimensions of the components) in step SM8,an alarm signal is generated to activate the alarm indicator light ofthe indicator device 22. The activation of the indicator light promptsthe operator to correct the erroneous data entry.

Step SM13 is followed by step SM14 in which the positions of thedimension lines and the positions of the dimension values in thedrawings of the components are changed according to the solid modelsmodified in step SM11. Step SM15 is then implemented to activate therecording device 24 to produce the drawing of each modified component,and the drawing of the structural assembly which includes the modifiedcomponent or components. Step SM15 is followed by step SM16 to changethe coordinate values of the machining information of the componentsaccording to the modified solid models. The control flow then goes tostep SM17 to determine whether the routine of FIGS. 4A and 4B isexecuted in a manual mode or an automatic mode. In the manual mode,steps SM9 through SM16 are implemented only once each time theappropriate part data file corresponding to each structural assembly isdesignated by the operator through the data input device 18. In theautomatic mode, steps SM9-SM16 are repeatedly implemented for all of thestructural assemblies whose wire frame data have been changed in stepSM8.

If the manual mode is selected, step SM17 is followed by step SM18 inwhich the indicator light and speaker of the indicator device 22 areactivated to inform the operator of the completion of the solid modelmodifying routine of FIGS. 4A and 4B. It is noted that step SM18 isimplemented also when steps SM9-SM16 have been repeatedly implementedfor all of the structural assemblies whose wire frame data have beenchanged in step SM8. Namely, step SM17 is followed by step SM18 when thestep SM17 is implemented after the last part data file is designated instep SM19 in the automatic mode.

If the automatic mode is selected, step SM17 is followed by step SM19 inwhich the next part data file is designated, and steps SM9-SM16 areautomatically implemented again, as indicated above. Steps SM9-SM16 arerepeatedly implemented until the solid models of all the structuralassemblies to be modified have been modified.

It will be understood from the foregoing description of the presentembodiment that the solid models of two or more components can bemodified by simply changing the shape data in the form of the wire framedata stored in the shape data file memory means 30. Described morespecifically, the shape data are changed by the altering means 32according to data entry operations through the data input device 18.Then, the definition data updating means 34 is automatically operated tochange the cross sectional shapes and the corresponding attributes onthe basis of the shape data changed by the altering means 32, accordingto the predetermined relationship between the changed shape data and thecross sectional shapes and attributes to be changed. The changed crosssectional shapes and attributes are applied to the solid model modifyingmeans 36, as solid model definition data which define the solid models.The solid model modifying means 36 activates the solid modeller 38 sothat the original solid models are modified according to the solid modeldefinition data in the form of the changed cross sectional shapes andattributes. Thus, the means 30, 32, 34, 36 and solid modeller 38constitute a solid model modifying apparatus capable of modifyingalready prepared solid models of two or more components of a structuralassembly.

In the present embodiment, the operator simply enters data necessary tochange the shape data or wire frame data stored in the shape data filememory means 30, at one time for all the components whose solid modelsare to be modified. Then, the corresponding cross sectional shapes andattributes necessary to define the solid models are automaticallychanged according to the changed wire frame data, and the solid modelsof all the components whose wire frame data have been changed areautomatically modified by the solid modeller 38 according to the changedcross sectional shapes and attributes. Thus, the modification of thesolid models on the basis of the changed wire frame data does notrequire the attendance of the operator or designer, and can be performedat night. Accordingly, the operator does not have to wait at theperipheral data input device of the solid model generating system,whereby the time required for the operator to attend the system can bereduced to less than a half of the conventional requirement, and thecomponent designing efficiency is accordingly improved.

In the present embodiment, the shape data stored in the shape data filememory means 30 take the form of shape definition lines (as indicated at52a-52d in FIG. 13) representative of wire frames which aretwo-dimensional figures. The wire frame models of two or more componentsof a structural assembly are displayed on the display device 20 at onetime, so as to facilitate changing of the wire frame data, that is,changing of the shape definition lines defining the wire frames whichcorrespond to the cross sectional shapes of the components or solidmodels. Generally, the dimensional or geometric modification of two ormore components of a structural assembly requires the designer toconsider the compatibility of the modified components with respect toeach other and with respect to the non-modified components, in terms oftheir attachment or connection to or engagment with each other or theirdimensional coordination. In some cases, the designer is required tore-modify the component or components so as to correct or overcomedefects or incompatibility of the modified and non-modified componentsin a trial-and-error fashion. In the present embodiment, the dimensionaland positional compatibility or coordination of the two or morecomponents can be readily checked while the wire frame models aredisplayed on the same screen of the display device 20, even if the wireframe models are changed by the altering means 32 two or more times.Further, each component is initially defined by two-dimensional figuresor wire frames (wire frame model), which can be processed at a higherspeed than in the conventional system in which the three-dimensionaldata processing is required for modifying the solid model of eachcomponent. Therefore, the present arrangement permits designing ormodification of the components with improved efficiency and reduced timeof repeated processing in the trial-and-error fashion.

In addition, the present arrangement does not require an expensivehigh-speed computer for successively modifying the solid models of twoor more components on the basis of the changed wire frame data, sincethe system need not be attended by the operator and does not impose awaiting time on the operator. In other words, the present system can beoperated with an inexpensive low-speed computer, and is available at anaccordingly reduced cost.

The present embodiment is also advantageous in that the coordination ofthe components of a structural assembly can be checked by the wire framemodels, thereby making it possible to minimize the possibility ofproblems which would occur with the solid models generated at the laterstage of processing.

Further, the design management of the various components in the form ofthe wire frame data assures reduced error of designing of thecomponents, and enhanced quality control of the components produced.

In the present system wherein a structural assembly as a whole isdesigned in the form of wire frame models, source materials used fordefining the wire frames or wire frame models can be used for checkingthe designed structural assembly for adequacy. Conventionally, suchmaterials are not kept and cannot be used later to re-design thedesigned components or design related components. In this respect, thepresent system assures higher designing efficiency that the conventionalsystem.

In the conventional system, the solid models as illustrated in FIG. 12are displayed when the corresponding components are modified, forexample, when the standardized components having standard shapes aremodified in relative position. In the present system, however, sketchesor simple drawing figures equivalent to the wire frames as illustratedin FIG. 12 are displayed when the components are modified. Accordingly,the required time for re-designing the components is accordingly reducedin the present system.

As indicated above, a die set used on a press is an example ofstructural assemblies whose wire frame data are stored in the shape datafile memory 16a of the auxiliary data storage 16 (shape data file memorymeans 30). In this case, the wire frame models may be designed for agroup of components associated with an upper die, a group of componentsassociated with a lower die, and a group of components associated with aproduct produced by the die set. For improving the coordination betweenthe components, it is desirable to correlate the commonly usedcomponents of those groups, so that different operators of the system ordifferent designers may design such structural assemblies so as to meetthe same design concept.

In the above embodiment, sets of wire frame data representative of wireframe models of respective components are stored in the memory means 30and are modified in step SM8 to modify the corresponding solid models.However, the wire frame models may be replaced by surface models or maybe used to generate the surface models, which are used to generate thesolid models.

Referring next to FIGS. 14-21, there will be described a secondembodiment of the present invention. While the program storage 15 in thefirst embodiment of FIG. 1-11 stores the control programs for executingthe routines of FIGS. 3-11, the program storage 15 in the presentembodiment stores control programs for executing routines illustrated inFIGS. 17-21, Further, the present apparatus uses an auxiliary datastorage 26 in place of the auxiliary data storage 16, as indicated inFIG. 14.

The auxiliary data storage 26 has a multiplicity of memory areas 26-1,26-2 . . . 26-n which correspond to different structural assemblies eachconsisting of two or more components. Each memory area 26-n stores apart data file 30 for a structural assembly. Examples of structuralassemblies i, ii and iii are illustrated in FIG. 16. Each of theseassemblies consists of two components A and B, more specifically, (Aiand Bi), (Aii and Bii), or (Aiii and Biii).

Referring to FIG. 15 illustrating an arrangement of the part data file30i for the structural assembly i by way of example, the part data file30i has two component data files 32ai and 32bi for the components Ai andBi of the assembly i, and one relation data file 34i which storescomponent relation data representative of a positional relationshipbetween the two components Ai and Bi. Each of the component data files32ai, 32bi has a wire frame data area, and a solid model data area forstoring solid model data representative of a three-dimensional solidmodel of the component Ai, Bi. For example, the wire frame data area ofthe component data file 32ai for the component Ai storeswire-frame-related data which consist of: wire frame data representativeof a two-dimensional wire frame model of the component Ai; wireframe-solid model relation data representative of a relationship betweenthe wire frame model and the solid model; and attribute datarepresentative of the attributes associated with cross sectional shapesused to define the solid model as described above with respect to thefirst embodiment.

For instance, the component relation data stored in the relation datafile 34i of the part data file 30i for the structural assembly i includedata indicative of mutually contacting surfaces of the two components Aiand Bi. The wire frame data stored in the component data file 32aiinclude coordinate data of the shape definition lines of each wire frameof the component Ai, while the wire frame-solid model relation datastored in the component data file 32ai include data indicative ofrelationships between the shape definition lines of the wire frames andthe shape definition lines or surfaces of the solid model of thecomponent Ai. The attribute data stored in the component data file 32aiinclude data indicative of directions of movement or rotation of eachcross sectional shape element of the solid model of the component Ai,and the distance of movement or rotating angle of the cross sectionalplane.

Referring to the flow chart of FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrating a mainroutine, there will be described an operation of the present apparatus,to generate a solid model of the structural assembly iii shown in FIG.16, by way of example. The assembly iii consists of the component Ai ofthe assembly i and the component Bii of the assembly ii.

The main routine is initiated with step SM51 (FIG. 17A) to register oropen the appropriate part data file 30iii. Step SM51 is followed by stepSM52 to determine whether a copying of the component data file or filesof the other part data file or files is required by the operator. In thepresent example, the operator may require the copying of thewire-frame-related data in the wire frame data areas of the componentdata files 32ai and 32bii for the components Ai and Bii. However, anoperation when a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM52 will bedescribed first.

Step SM52 is followed by step SM53 when the negative decision (NO) isobtained in step SM52. In step SM53, wire frame data defining wire framemodels of the components Aiii and Biii of the assembly iii are stored inthe component data file 32aiii and 32biii of the part data file 30iii,and the component relation data representative of the positionalrelationship between the wire frame models of the components Aiii andBiii are stored in the relation data file 34iii. The component relationdata include data indicative of the relationship between the localcoordinate systems in which the wire frame models of the componentsAiii, Biii are defined.

The operation in step SM53 is illustrated in detail in the flow chart ofFIG. 18. Initially, step SM53a is implemented to register theappropriate component data file (32aiii or 32biii) for the component(Aiii or Biii), and the relation data file 34iii, through the data inputdevice 18. Then, step SM53b is implemented to designate planes ofdefinition of the wire frames, through the data input device 18. StepSM53b is followed by step SM53c to specify the type of view representedby the wire frame model, and enter the coordinate values indicative ofthe positions of the individual wires of each wire frame in the x-y-zrectangular coordinate system. The data representative of the type ofview and the coordinate values are stored as part of thewire-frame-related data in the wire frame data area of the appropriatecomponent data file (32aiii or 32biii) specified in step SM53a. Then,the control flow goes to step SM53e to determine whether the assemblyiii in question has another component. If an affirmative decision (YES)is obtained in step SM53e, steps SM53a-SM53d are repeated. In thepresent specific example, steps SM53a-SM53d are repeated twice, a firstcycle for the component Aiii, and a second cycle for the component Biii.

Step SM53 is followed by steps SM54, SM55 and SM56 to enter datanecessary for initial definition of a solid model of the assembly iii,or solid models of the components Aiii and Biii. An operation in stepSM4 to define cross sectional shapes used for defining the solid modelsis illustrated in detail in the flow chart of FIG. 19.

The sub-routine of FIG. 19 is initiated with step SM54a in which thecoordinate conversion matrix file defining the positional relationshipbetween each wire frame model and the solid model is generated. StepSM54b is then implemented to specify the plane in which each crosssectional shape is defined. Step SM54b is followed by step SM54c todefine each cross sectional shape in the specified plane.

Then, the control flow goes to step SM55 to store in the component datafiles 32aiii, 32biii wire frame-solid model relation data whichrepresent the relationship between the wire frames and the crosssectional shapes used to define the solid models. Details of this stepSM55 are shown in the flow chart of FIG. 20.

The sub-routine of FIG. 20 is initiated with step SM55a in whichcomponent identifiers indicative of relationships between the wire framemodels and the corresponding components Aiii, Biii are stored as part ofthe wire frame-solid model relation data in the appropriate componentdata files 32aiii, 32biii. In the next step SM55b, shape identifiersindicative of relationships between the shape definition lines of thewire frames and the cross sectional shapes of the solid models arestored as another part of the wire frame-solid model relation data inthe component data files 32aiii, 32biii. Further, relationships betweenthe wire frames and the solid model cross sectional shapes are stored,in relation to the shape identifiers, also in the component data files32aiii, 32biii.

Then, step SM56 is implemented to store the attribute data in thecomponent data files 32aiii, 32biii, through the data input device 18.The attribute data, which also constitute part of the wire-frame-relateddata, represent an attribute associated with each of the cross sectionalshapes defined in step SM54. An operation in this step SM56 will bedescribed by reference to the flow chart of FIG. 21.

The sub-routine of FIG. 21 is initiated with step SM56a in which eachgeometric feature of each component Aiii, Biii is specified. Then, stepsSM56b, SM56c, SM56d, SM56e which are similar to steps SM4b-SM4e of FIG.8 are sequentially implemented. If an affirmative decision (YES) isobtained in step SM56e, the control flow goes to step SM55d which issimilar to step SM3d of FIG. 8.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM52, that is, ifthe operator requires copying of the wire-frame-related data in the wireframe data areas of the component data files 32ai and 32bii of the partdata files 30i and 30ii, the control flow goes to step SM57 to retrievethe wire-frame-related data stored in the wire frame data areas of thosecomponent data files 32ai, 32bii which have been specified by theoperator through the data input device 18. In the present example, thewire-frame-related data retrieved from the wire frame data area of thecomponent data file 32ai of the part data file 30i are stored in thewire frame data area of the component data file 32aiii of the part datafile 30iii, while the wire-frame-related data retrieved from the wireframe data area of the component data file 32bii of the part data file30ii are stored in the wire frame data area of the component data file32biii of the part data file 30iii.

Steps SM56 and SM57 are followed by step SM58 to determine whether thedata retrieved from the other part data file or files should be changedor modified. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM58,steps SM52-SM56 (SM57) are repeated. If a negative decision (NO) isobtained in step SM58, the control flow goes to step SM59 to determinewhether there is another structural assembly whose solid model is to begenerated. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step SM59,steps SM51-SM58 are repeated.

it will be understood that steps SM51 through SM59 are provided toenable the operator to define a desired structural assembly, byspecifying a wire frame corresponding to each cross sectional shapeelement which cooperates with the corresponding attribute to define ashape element of the solid model. Thus, the operator may express adesign concept of a structural assembly in the form of two-dimensionalwire frames as indicated in FIG. 13.

If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM59, the control flowgoes to step SM60 (FIG. 17B) in which the solid models of the componentsAiii and Biii are generated by the solid modeller on the basis of thecross sectional shapes defined in steps SM54b, SM54c and the attributesdefined in steps SM56a-SM56e. The solid model data representative of thegenerated solid models are stored in the solid model data areas of theappropriate component data files 32aiii and 32bii in which the wireframe data and the related data are stored in the wire frame data areas.

After the solid model data of the components Aiii and Biii have beenstored in step SM60 in the component data files 32aiii and 32biii of thepart data file 30iii, step SM61 is implemented to store the componentrelation data representative of the positional relationship between thecomponents Aiii and Biii in the relation data file 34iii of the partdata file 30iii. The component relation data stored in this step SM61include coordinate values or position vectors which indicate therelative positions of the solid models of the components Aiii, Biii.Explained in detail, the solid solid models of the components Aiii andBiii are displayed on the screen of the display device 20, and the zeropoints of the displayed wire frame models of the two components arespecified for matching of their coordinate systems or vector directions,and data are entered through the data input device 18 to specify thatsliding surface Aiiis of the component Aiii and sliding surface Biiis ofthe component Biii both of which lie on the same plane.

Step SM61 is followed by step SM62 to activate the display device 20 todisplay the drawings of the structural assembly iii, and enter thedimensions associated with various shape definition lines in thedrawings. The dimension data are stored in an appropriate portion of thepart data file 30iii. In the following step SM63, information necessaryto machine or manufacture the components Aiii, Biii are also stored.

The control flow then goes to step SM64 to determine whether theoperator desires to have an output of the content of any part data file30, for example, part data file 30iii for the Structural assembly iiiwhose solid model has been generated. This determination is effectedbased on a command signal received from the data input device 18. If anegative decision (NO) is obtained in step SM64, the present mainroutine is terminated. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained instep SM64, step SM65 is implemented to determine whether the operatordesires the output of the solid model or the wire frame model, based ona signal from the data input device 18. If the received signal indicatesthe operator's desire to output the solid model, step SM66 isimplemented to retrieve the selected component data file or files 32 orall the component data files 32, and erase the retrievedwire-frame-related data so that only the solid model data of theread-out file or files 32 are used to output the solid model. If thesolid model data are retrieved from the two or more component data files32, the component relation data are also retrieved from the relationdata file 34. Then, the display device 20 and the recording device 24are operated to display or record the solid model or models, accordingto the solid model data. Alternatively, the solid model data and thecomponent relation data are sent to an external device. If the operatordesires to output the wire frame model, step SM67 is implemented toretrieve the selected component data file or files 32 or all thecomponent data files 32, and erase the retrieved solid model data sothat only the wire-frame-related data are used to output the wire framemodel. If the wire frame data are the two or more component data files32, the component relation data are also retrieved from the relationdata file 34. Then, the display device 20 and the recording device 24are operated to display or record the wire frame model or modelsaccording to the wire-frame-related data, or the wire-frame-related dataare sent to the external device.

In the present embodiment described above, the memory areas 26-n of theauxiliary data storage 26 are used for the part data files 30 fordifferent structural assemblies of components, namely, part data files30i, 30ii and 30iii for the structural assemblies i, ii and iii in theillustrated example described by reference to FIG. 16. Each part datafile 30 has two or more component data files 32 corresponding to theindividual components of each structural assembly, and one relation datafile 34 storing the component relation data. Each component data file 32has both the wire frame data area and the solid model data areas inwhich are stored the wire-frame-related data and the solid model data,which respectively represent the wire frame model and the solid model ofthe component in question. In the illustrated example, thewire-frame-related data and the solid model data of the components Aiand Bi of the structural assembly i are stored in the component datafiles 32ai and 32bi of the part data file 30i, respectively, while thewire-frame-related data and the solid model data of the components Aiiand Bii of the structural assembly ii are stored in the component datafiles 32aii and 32bii of the part data file 30ii, respectively.Similarly, the wire-frame-related data and the solid model data of thecomponents Aii and Biii of the structural assembly iii are stored in thecomponent data files 32aiii and 32biii of the part file data 30iii,respectively. Further, the component relation data of the assemblies i,ii and iii are stored in the respective relation data files 34i, 34iiand 34iii. The component relation data include data representative ofthe positional relationship between the wire frame models of thecomponents of the same assembly, and data representative of thepositional relationship between the solid models of the components ofthe same assembly.

According to the present embodiment, only the desired component datafile or files 32 (32ai, 32bi, 32aii, 32bii, 32aiii, 32biii) of anydesired part data file or files 30 can be copied and utilized togenerate a solid model of a new structural assembly. When the wire framedata of the component Ai of the structural assembly i is utilized forgenerating a solid model of the structural assembly iii, for example,only the component data file 32ai for the component Ai can be utilizedindependently of the component data file 32bi for the component Bi.Consequently, it is not necessary to erase or remove the unnecessarydata stored in the component data file 32bi. Thus, the presentarrangement permits easy utilization of already stored data of anycomponent of any already designed structural assembly to design a newstructural assembly, and therefore assures increased designingefficiency and reduced designing error due to removal of the unnecessaryportion of the copied data.

Although the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B isadapted such that the wire-frame-related data in the wire frame dataarea of the copied component data file 32 is utilized in step SM60 togenerate the solid model data of a new structural assembly, the solidmodel data of the copied component data file may be directly used togenerate the solid model of the new assembly. In this case, step SM60need not be implemented for-the component whose solid model data areobtained by copying in step SM57.

In the present second embodiment, steps SM1 through SM10 correspond tofirst data storage control means for storing the wire-frame-related dataand the solid model data in respective areas of each of the differentcomponent data files 32 provided for different components of eachstructural assembly. Further, steps SM53 and SM11 correspond to seconddata storage control means for storing the component relation data inthe relation data file 34 which is different from the component datafiles 32 and which cooperate with the component data files 32 toconstitute each part data file 30.

It is also noted that the use of different component data files fordifferent components of a structural assembly and the use of eachcomponent data file to store both the wire-frame-related data and thesolid model data facilitate reproduction of the solid model of anydesired one of the components of a structural assembly at a desiredopportunity, for three-dimensional geometric verification of theselected component.

It is further noted that since the present embodiment is adapted toprocess data associated with each one of the components at one time, therequired storage capacity of the primary data storage 14 of the computer12 can be made relatively small, and the storage 14 is available at acomparatively low cost. Conventionally, wire frame data and sold modeldata associated with all components of a structural assembly must beprocessed at one time when the wire frame data or solid model data ofthe assembly are partially modified, or when the part data file of theassembly is copied, for example.

Although the second embodiment is adapted such that solid models aregenerated on the basis of wire frame models, surface models obtainedfrom the wire frame models may be used to generate the solid models.

While the present invention has been described in detail in itspresently preferred embodiments, for illustrative purpose only, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the details of theillustrated embodiments, but may be embodied with various changes,modifications and improvements, which may occur to those skilled in theart, in the light of the foregoing teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of generating solid models of structuralassemblies each consisting of a plurality of components, according tocross sectional shapes of said components and attributes associated withsaid cross sectional shapes, said cross sectional shapes and saidattributes being based on wire frame models defining shapes of saidcomponents of said each structural assembly, said method comprising thesteps of:providing a plurality of part data files corresponding to saidplurality of structural assemblies, respectively, each of said part datafiles including a plurality of component data files corresponding tosaid plurality of components of said each structural assembly,respectively, and a relation data file; storing wire-frame-related dataor surface model data and solid model data of each of said components ofsaid each structural assembly, in respective areas of a correspondingone of said component data files of a corresponding one of said partdata files, said wire-frame-related data including wire frame datarepresentative of said wire frame models of said components, and saidsurface model data being representative of surface models of saidcomponents, while said solid model data being representative of saidsolid models of said components; storing component relation data of saideach structural assembly in said relation data file of the correspondingpart data file, said component relation data being representative of apositional relationship of said plurality of components of said eachstructural assembly; retrieving said wire-frame-related data or surfacemodel data of a desired one of said components of one of said pluralityof structural assemblies, from the part data file corresponding to saidone of said plurality of structural assemblies, and retrieving saidwire-frame-related data or surface model data of a desired one of saidcomponents of another of said plurality of structural assemblies, fromthe part data file corresponding to said another of said plurality ofstructural assemblies; and generating solid model data of a newstructural assembly consisting of said desired one of the components ofsaid one of said plurality of structural assemblies and said desired oneof the components of said another of said plurality of structuralassemblies, according to the retrieved wire-frame-related data orsurface model data of said components of said one and another of saidplurality of structural assemblies, and component relation datarepresentative of a desired positional relationship between saidcomponents of said one and another of said plurality of structuralassemblies.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidwire-frame-related data further include relation data representative ofa positional relationship between said wire frame model of said eachcomponent of said each structural assembly and the solid model of saideach component.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidwire-frame-related data further include attribute data representative ofthe attribute associated with each cross sectional shape element whichdefines said each component.
 4. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising a step of storing of said retrieved wire-frame-related dataor surface model data and the generated solid model data of said newstructural assembly in another part data file.
 5. An apparatus forgenerating solid models of structural assemblies each consisting of aplurality of components, according to cross sectional shapes of saidcomponents and attributes associated with said cross sectional shapes,said cross sectional shapes being based on wire frame models definingshapes of said components of said each structural assembly, saidapparatus comprising:a plurality of part data files corresponding tosaid plurality of structural assemblies, respectively, each of said partdata files including a plurality of component data files correspondingto said plurality of components of said each structural assembly,respectively, and a relation data file; first data storage control meansfor storing wire-frame-related data or surface model data and solidmodel data of each of said components of said each structural assembly,in respective areas of a corresponding one of said component data filesof a corresponding one of said part data files, said wire-frame-relateddata including wire frame data representative of said wire frame modelsof said components, and said surface model data being representative ofsurface models of said components, while said solid model data beingrepresentative of said solid models of said components; second datastorage control means for storing component relation data of said eachstructural assembly in said relation data file of the corresponding partdata file, said component relation data being representative of apositional relationship of said plurality of components of said eachstructural assembly; data retrieving means for retrieving saidwire-frame-related data or surface model data of a desired one of saidcomponents of one of said plurality of structural assemblies, from thepart data file corresponding to said one of said plurality of structuralassemblies, and retrieving said wire-frame-related data or surface modeldata of a desired one of said components of another of said plurality ofstructural assemblies, from the part data file corresponding to saidanother of said plurality of structural assemblies; and data generatingmeans for generating solid model data of a new structural assemblyconsisting of said desired one of the components of said one of saidplurality of structural assemblies and said desired one of thecomponents of said another of said plurality of structual assemblies,according to the retrieved wire-frame-related data or surface model dataof said components of said one and another of said plurality ofstructual assemblies.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saidrespective areas of each of said component data files consist of a wireframe data area and a solid model data area for storing saidwire-frame-related data and said solid model data, respectively, saidwire frame data area further storing relation data representative of apositional relationship between said wire frame model of said eachcomponent of said each structural assembly and the solid model of saideach component.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said wireframe data area further storing attribute data representative of theattribute associated with each cross sectional shape element whichdefines said each component.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 5,further comprising an output device for reproducing the solid models ofsaid structural assemblies, according to said solid model data.
 9. Anapparatus according to claim 8, further comprising output control meansfor retrieving said wire-frame-related data or said surface model dataand said solid model data from said component data files of one of saidpart data files which corresponds to one of said structural assemblieswhen the solid model of said one structural assembly is reproduced, saidoutput control means erasing the retrieved wire-frame-related data orsaid surface model data so that only the retrieved solid model data areused to reproduce the solid model of said one structural assembly. 10.An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for storingsaid retrieved wire-frame-related data or surface model data and thegenerated solid model data of said new structural assembly in anotherpart data file.